Casino gateway network illustrating the connection of gaming device, servers, systems and network

ABSTRACT

Herein is described a system comprising: a generic multi-player gaming station hardware platform that is downloaded with multiple games that gives a player at a given station a menu of available games, and a secure intranet network operating on the Internet to support the operation of the multi-player gaming station hardware platform.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a gaming network designed forintrastate and intratribal operation of casino games over a secureIntranet network operating on the Internet.

As can be seen, there is a need for a closed intranet system thatincludes casino games designed to be played over the Internet in aformat that includes a flexible, multi-player game-station electronicgaming device and a system to link together tribal casinos across theUnited States.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a system comprises: amulti-player gaming station hardware platform that is downloaded withmultiple games that gives a player at a given station a menu ofavailable games, and a secure intranet network operating on the Internetto support via password-protected access the operation of themulti-player gaming station hardware platform.

In another aspect of the present invention, a system comprises: aflexible, multi-player game-station electronic gaming device, and aclosed intranet connection that links together a configuration of tribalcasinos across the United States where the device is used to effect theoperation and processing of Class II and Class III games that aredownloaded to the device and displayed in a menu format for playerselection and play

In another aspect of the present invention a distributed casinocomprises various gaming sites on Indian lands, within a state or in aninternational gaming jurisdiction linked to a primary gaming sitethrough the Internet to form a network for game operation and processingand for purposes of linking various games and sites for progressivejackpots.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows various game station embodiments of the present invention,1A shows 8-station, 1B shows 6-station, 1C shows 3-station, 1D shows apersonal station;

FIG. 2 shows a front view with (2A) or without (2B) the base, and a sideview (2C) of an individual personal play station according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a single Class II casino network of systems, game stationsand third party gaming machines according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 shows a multi-site network of Class II gaming sites according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a Class II & III single casino network of systems, gamestations and third party gaming machines according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a multi-site network of Class II and III gaming sitesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows the Gaming Standards Associations Connectivity Protocolsaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a single tribe multi-site intranet network of gaming sitesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 shows a multi-tribe, multi-state and multi-site Internet networkof Class II and III and Internet gaming sites according to an embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be usedindependently of one another or in combination with other features.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a gamingnetwork designed for intrastate and intratribal operation of casinogames over a secure Intranet network operating on the Internet.

Herein is described a system, which may be called “Casino GatewayNetwork”, that is a gaming network designed for intrastate andintratribal operation of casino games over a secure intranet networkoperating on the Internet. The gaming network allows players to playcasino games online from a central location or their homes within aspecific state or tribal land boundary. The network is designed to blockaccess from underage individuals or players from outside the state ortribal lands or reservations. This system is designed to accomplishseveral functions to allow game play of games of chance, skilled games,Class I, Class II, including poker, and Class III games as defined byfederal, state and tribal laws.

The system has at least two versions. One is designed to link one Indianreservation to another Indian reservation, and Indian reservations to alegal international gaming jurisdiction using the Casino GatewayNetwork. The other is designed for the use by states within the UnitedStates. The system uses a central server with a random number generatorthat allows players to play Class II games such as bingo, lotto, pulltabs, poker, etc. that involve players competing against each other forjackpot prizes, and Class III games that allow a player to play all thetraditional casino games, such as blackjack, roulette, craps and competeagainst the house that uses a random number generator to produceresults.

Each version has several components:

Game Component: Allows players to play games of chance, skilled games,Class I, Class II, poker, and Class III games as defined by federal,state and tribal laws over the Internet on a secure intranet system. TheCasino Gateway Network allows a player within the state to play casinogames that are considered legal forms of gaming within the state.Intertribal allows players to play games from a reservation online aswell as to compete for jackpots from players linked from otherreservations to the Casino Gateway network.

Entertainment Component: Allows players to listen to music via thepatent pending Jukebox Slots product (US 2008-0076575 A1) that allowsplayers to select and listen to music while playing casino games, andlisten and view entertainment that plays advertisements in between gameplay.

Security Component: Allows the casino operators to block minors andplayers from outside the state or tribal lands to play casino gamesavailable via the Casino Gateway Network. The security system checksseveral forms of identification. Items to make sure players are eligibleto play on the network, use their credit card verification, voterregistration, driver license information, onsite verification orcertified notary.

Network Component: The system is connected by a central server networksystem that controls secure gaming transactions over a secure Intranet.That intranet is accessible via the internet by a password access code.The Casino Gateway Network allows numerous reservations to connect tothe Casino Gateway Network and play simultaneous games for playersplaying against players or players competing against the house.

Credit Card Processing Component: The system uses a service that may bereferred to as the Good-As-Gold ATM service (an ATIG product). Thisservice allows a player to access cash from their bank accounts and usethat cash at any gateway casino. This system will not break the UnlawfulInternet Gaming Enforcement Act, because it serves as an automaticteller machine (ATM) found in casinos all over the United States and itis being used for the purpose of gaming within areas that the new lawconsiders legal (Intrastate Internet Gaming) if approved by the stateand (Intratribal Internet Gaming) if approved by the National IndianGaming Commission (NIGC).

One aspect of the instant invention is a closed intranet system thatincludes casino games designed to be played over the Internet in aformat that includes flexible, multi-player game-station electronicgaming device and system used to link together tribal casinos across theUnited States as described by the Unlawful Internet Gaming EnforcementAct, but also having application in other gaming environments such ascommercial casinos within States, poker networks and state lotteriesworldwide.

Another aspect of the instant invention describes the networkconnectivity between the various systems and gaming devices on a closedIntranet network via the Internet.

The instant invention concludes that a game regardless of being Class IIor III merely represents a software application, or content, that isperformed on an electronic hardware platform, such as the non-limitingexample of www(dot)amazon-casino(dot)com.

An embodiment of the instant invention provides for a multi-playergaming station hardware platform that is downloaded with multiple games,regardless of class, that gives the player at a given station a menu ofavailable games. Further, the present invention provides for theInternet, either in an Intranet or Internet, to support (by givingplayers access to the network via a password on the Internet) theoperation of the multi-player gaming station hardware, in several casinoconfigurations including but not limited to: a single tribe singlecasino location, regardless of Class II or Class III; a single tribewith multiple casinos or gaming locations, regardless of Class II orClass III; multiple tribes and multiple casinos or gaming locations,regardless of Class II or Class III; on-reservation at home gaming,regardless of Class II or Class III; a single tribe single casinolocation, connecting to an international gaming jurisdiction, regardlessof Class II or Class III; and multiple tribes casino locations connectedto multiple international gaming jurisdictions, regardless of Class IIor Class III.

Further, while the instant invention is a hardware platform for bothClass II and III games, other gaming applications such as sport bettingand lottery, and other entertainment applications such as pay-to-playnon-gaming games, pay-to-view movies and digital video discs (DVDs) areenvisioned as additional revenue generating content.

Each position of a standard gaming device, such as the Multi-PlayerGame-Station Electronic Gaming Device (MGGD) that is used in casinosworldwide, comprises at a minimum several components that are common tomost electronic gaming devices including: processor, display, touchscreen; sound card; graphics card. Each position of the MGGD optionallyincludes: a second display for display of Class II bingo, bonus games,pay tables, advertising, etc.; a printer for voucher printing; a cardreader for player's club recognition and tracking; and a currencyacceptor.

All of the component parts are packaged, in a compact design to minimizespace, in the applicable MGGD configuration, see FIG. 1 forconfiguration examples. While FIG. 1 depicts up to an eight station MGGDof certain design shapes the number of stations and shape(s) is onlylimited to practical size limitations. Depending on the processorperformance speed it may be that two or more of the positions share asingle processor thus reducing the cost of the overall MGGD.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

1. A system comprising: a multi-player gaming station hardware platform that is downloaded with multiple games that gives a player at a given station a menu of available games; and a secure intranet network operating on the Internet to support via password-protected access the operation of the multi-player gaming station hardware platform.
 2. A system comprising: a multi-player game-station electronic gaming device; and a closed intranet connection that links together a configuration of casinos where the device is used to effect the operation and processing of Class II and Class III games that are downloaded to the device and displayed in a menu format for player selection and play.
 3. The system of claim 2, where the configuration is selected from the group consisting of a single tribe single casino location, a single tribe with multiple casinos or gaming locations, multiple tribes and multiple casinos or gaming locations, on-reservation at home gaming, a single tribe single casino location connecting to an international gaming jurisdiction, and multiple tribes casino locations connected to multiple international gaming jurisdictions.
 4. The system of claim 2, where the Class II and Class III games are lottery games, pari-mutuel betting, sports betting, poker, or non-gaming games.
 5. The system of claim 2, additionally comprising the operation and processing of pay-to-view movies or DVDs.
 6. The system of claim 2 wherein the system is networked through the Internet using Internet Protocol, either in an intranet or Internet configuration.
 7. A distributed casino comprising; various gaming sites on Indian lands, within a state, or in an international gaming jurisdiction linked to a primary gaming site through the Internet to form a network for game operation and processing and for linking various games and sites for progressive jackpots.
 8. A distributed casino as in claim 7 also comprising a plurality of multi-player game-station electronic gaming devices where each device can be signed on the network through the Internet, and thereby become a node in a Virtual Private Network for system security and integrity.
 9. The distributed casino of claim 8 where a player can purchase a cash voucher, said voucher including assess codes; such that when the codes are entered into a personal computer device located on tribal lands, the device is included in the Virtual Private Network; and such that a player is permitted full gaming activity to the extent of credit available on the voucher plus any winnings from the games played.
 10. The distributed casino of claim 9 wherein at the end of a gaming session any remaining credit is recorded in a second cash voucher and said second cash voucher can be cashed at any casino location within the network, or can be used for gaming at a casino site or from an on-reservation personal computing device. 